Israel has told mediators they will continue to engage in talks that could lead to a hostage release and a fighting pause in Gaza but have so far rejected a counterproposal made by Hamas that demanded a large release of Palestinian prisoners, a diplomat familiar with the discussions said.
CIA director Bill Burns, the Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Mossad Director David Barnea left Cairo following the talks on Tuesday.
Talks continue but no further meetings are currently planned until Hamas responds, the diplomat and another source familiar with the discussion said.
Despite little apparent concrete progress in Cairo, mediators remain encouraged that talks have not stopped despite the impasse and a deal is not expected to be imminently reached, the second source added.
